Their footsteps echoed in the murky staircase. Ines slowly reached its end first and peered carefully behind the wall. She could make out a big room with stone walls and no windows. At one side, there were a few tables and chairs, while the other side was filled with shabby trunks and shelves. Papers were scattered all around, and a coat of dust covered everything.

'Hmmm, nice and cozy,' commented Matthew.

'We have one more hour. Time to get down to business.'

'What exactly are we searching for?'

'That thief they held captive at the camp mentioned a weapon selling network.'

'So, you think this place could offer some information?'

'Yeah. This area could be the perfect hideout.'

Ines looked at Matthew who was deep in thought, his eyes cloudy from concentration. She saw him approach one of the tables that had a stack of papers on it. He took a letter and read it out loud.

'Everything is in place. Meeting under the clashing swords. Bring 30 units as agreed. We will be waiting. –The midnight market'

'The midnight market? I thought that was only a myth.'

'Well, apparently it is not. They sold the weapons to people from the black market.'

Ines took another one. 'Our position has been compromised. All transactions halted until further notice. –The bloody hand'

'Why hasn't anyone found out about all this?' he asked her.

'Maybe they were too careful.'

'Or maybe the military has grown too sloppy.'

Ines put the letter down and looked at the chests. Why do they keep all these trunks here?, she wondered and went to open them. Inside them she found dozens of swords and knives, very similar to the one the thief carried on him. They were silver and had the same detailed designs on the hilt.

'Clean cuts. That is some professional work here,' she remarked.

'Yeah. I could use a weapon like this.'

She whipped her head towards him. 'Don't even think about it!'

'What? They wouldn't even notice someone has taken it. There are hundreds here.'

'Matthew...'

Her forbidding words didn't faze Matthew at all; he held one in his hands and inspected it more closely. Ines shook her head in disapproval. Since they were little, he would always admire a nice piece of weaponry. Like every other time, his eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.

'Hey, look. There are initials written along the side,' he said after a while.

He gave her the weapon to look at it.

'AI? What does that mean?'

'I don't know. Could be anything,' he answered. 'Anyway, we'll think about that later. Now we don't have the time. Let's head back.'

They were about to leave when Ines suddenly heard a faint rhythmic sound, like something was being hit on metal. She stopped moving and looked at Matthew. Seconds after, the sound rang again.

'You hear that?' she asked him.

Matthew nodded.

It was coming from behind the shelves. 

'What is it?' he whispered.

'Let's follow the sound.'

They neared the shelves and checked for a way to move them.

'Step aside,' he instructed her.

Ines took a step back, observing his actions. Matthew stretched his neck, positioned his hands on the shelves and started pushing. The shelves gradually gave in and moved to the side, revealing a passage that went even lower. Ines stood in front of the entrance.

'Let's go,' she urged.

They crossed the short corridor and entered another room, dark and chilly, with metal bars right and left. All the cells were empty except one, which caged a small girl. She sat in a corner, away from the door, her arms hugging her legs. Her clothes were filthy and ripped in many places, while her body seemed extremely emaciated. Her expression was blank. Ines and Matthew shared a worried look.

'Darkness is near. Darkness is n-- oh, we have visitors. Comb your hair, do not look so frightened. What if we can not trust them. No, no, they are friends. They will not hurt us. No one can be trusted. Look what they have done to us,' the girl croaked once she noticed them.

Ines and Matthew approached her slowly. She signaled him to stay back and let her try to appease her.

'Hey, hey. Don't be scared. We are here to help you,' she reassured the girl. 'I am Peter, and this is my friend, Matthew. What is your name?'

'It's Grace. Ugh, why did you tell them? They can't know!'

Ines saw her wrestling something inside her, something that wouldn't let her trust them.

'It's okay. Can you tell me how long you have been here?'

'A day, a month, a year. Time is irrelevant. Time does not exist in here. Darkness is near. They come and go. No one stays. Only me.'

The girl hid her face behind her legs and wouldn't budge at Ines' calling her name. She was seriously thinking of giving up when Matthew came behind her and whispered in her ear. Ines felt goosebumps from his close proximity but tried to hide it from him. She couldn't show that it affected her.

'Let's work out a different approach,' his deep voice echoed in her ears.

Matthew sat down in front of the metal bars and spoke to her gently. 'Hello, dear. I am Matthew.'

She raised her head and peered at him through her long lushes. 'Hi, Matthew. He's a stranger! Don't listen to him.'

'I really like your dress. Where did you get it?'

'Really?' She beamed at him, and a huge smile appeared on her face. 'Don't believe him! My mum made it for me! She is dead now.'

'Oh, I am sorry. Do you miss her?'

'Sometimes. But she comes every night and tells me stories. It helps me with my nightmares.'

'And your father? Where is he?'

'I am waiting for him to come. I am sure he will come. Darkness is near.'

'Wouldn't it be better if we took you to him?'

'No! They will catch me and lock me up! They have eyes everywhere.'

'Do you mean the people wearing blue capes?' Ines spoke up.

'Yes! How do you know?'

'Your dad sent us to get you out of here. He told us where you were. We made sure all the bad guys are in prison and came for you,' said Matthew.

'My dad? Where is he?'

Matthew stood up, and with a single move he broke the lock of the cell with his sword. He opened the door and extended his hand to her.

'Let us take you to him. You are safe now. I promise.'

'Don't take his hand. Don't take his hand,' she murmured in a small voice.

Ines watched Matthew patiently waiting for the girl to come to him. She was a bit impressed by that calm and tender side of him. His features had softened, and although reluctant, he was looking at the girl with fondness, and that somehow tugged at her heartstrings.

In the end, the girl reached out to Matthew and his big calloused hand engulfed hers. The two of them exited the cell. Matthew glanced at her, mentally beckoning to her to go first. Ines got the message and started heading out. As they climbed up the stairs, she saw Matthew quietly help the kid over the steps and smiled. Who would have thought?, she mused.

Ines reached the end of the stairs and went through the broken cellar door, helping the others come out too. The three of them turned their backs to that horrible place. A place where she thought she would get answers but ended up with even more questions.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A/N: Thank you for reading my story! Don't hasitate to leave a vote and comment.

Phrase of the chapter: ἔρως ἀνίκατε μάχαν / love, unconquerable - Sophocles